Pipe-thread protector



. 1,621,647 H. A. UNKE "PIPE THREAD PROTECTOR Filed Jan. 17, 1925 Match 22 1927.

. r'- I'm-.1. v F1122.

avwawto'o Patented Mar. 22, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,621,647 PATENT oFFIcE.

HERMAN A. UIIKE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.-

PIPE-THREAD rnorno'ron.

Application filed January 17, 1925. Serial 1T0. 3,047.

This invention relates to devices for protectin the threads of pipes and other articles w ile being coated and also while being transported and handled.

It isone of the objects of theinvention to provide a thread protector that willbe threads from the enamel or coating mate-- rial during the enameling operation, the protector having the advantage that it may be left on the conduit for the purpose of protecting the threads during transportation,

and re- 'or the protector may be remove used.

Other objects of the invention and the features of noveltywill be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a thread protector embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the same, the protector being shown in position on the threads of a pipe;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but show' g a slightly different form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showmg the form of the invention illus trated' in Fig. '3; and

'Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the parts of the protector.

Referring to the drawings 10 indicates an ordinary pipe having the usual ta ered threads 11 on the end thereof. In or er to preserve the threads 11 in perfect condition, during transportation and handling, I provide a protector which, in the form illustrated in Fig. 2, comprises acup-shaped member 12 having a flange or ring-shaped portion 13, of frusto-conical form, the taper of the flange 13 conforming substantially to the taper of the threads 11. The end wall of the member 12 is embossed as shown best ceiving a wrench 15, which simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and which may be securely and quickly applied to the threads 1n Fig. 2 and aligned openings 14 extend.

purpose of remay be in the form ofa shortlength of rod. 12 1s preferably formed of sheet metal by stamping operations.

As will be seen from Fig. 2, the flange 1,3 is of slightly larger internal diameter than the. outsidediameter of the threads 11 and in the space thus provided there is arranged the flange 16 of a cup-shaped retainer member that is made of relatively soft fibrous material such as a tough paper stock. I prefer to use a paper stock that has good frictional qualities so that when the member 12 is driven over the flange 16 it will be securely wedged and held thereon, at the same time causing the threads to be mashed into the flange 16, as shown in Fig. 2. The end wall 17, of this retainer, also serves as a closure for the end of the pipe to exclude water and other foreign material therefrom and thus preserve the interior of the pipe in good condition until it reaches the point where the pipe is to be used. When the protector is to be removed the wrench 15 is inserted and the protector and paper retainer are screwed P P e through this portion for the In applying the protector to the end of the pipe the retainer is first placed in the positionshown in Fig. 2 and the member 12 is then driven onover the retainer by a mallet or other device, thereby making this a very simple and inexpensive operation.

- The retainer for the member 12 may be made in different ways but I have devised a very simple and inexpensive form that has numerous advantages from the standpoint of taking up only a small amount of s ace when bein stored or transported an is relatively free from liability of becoming mutilated before use. This form of retainer is illustrated in Fig. 5 and consists of a disk 18 having several wings 19 projecting from the periphery thereof and adapted to be folded at right angles to the p ane of the disk 18 and, when thus folded, to constitute a substantiall continuous ring which serves as the flange 16, above described. I form this retainer by stamping it from paper stock, by means of a suitably shaped punch and, in order to facilitate bending of the wings 19 a crease 2O disk 18 adjacent its peripher These remay be provided in the The member 011 from the end of the i in applying the retainer the disk 18 is held against the end of the pipe and the member 12 is then pressed against the wings 19, the

pressure folding the wings against the threads and permitting the member 12 to be driven to the position shown in Fig. 2.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and l is, generally, similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with the exception that instead of embossing the end wall of the member 12, a suitably shaped'opening 21 is formed therein to receive a wrench by means of which the protector may be unscrewed from the pipe. The openlng 21 in the periphery has the further advantage of permitting the insertion of a hook 22 for the purpose of lifting the pipe when it reaches the point of use. In this case the end wall 17 of the retainer which, in Fig. .5, is the disk 18, is punctured by the hook 22 or any other suitable device, thereby permitting the hook to be positioned as shown. This 1s an especially desirable feature in the case of plpes of large size which must be handled .by means of cranes or derricks or other I I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of an article having a tapered threaded end, a' cup-shaped cap having'a continuous frusto-conical wall adaptedto surround said threaded end and the taper of which conforms substantially to the taper of said end, and a cup-shaped member of relatively soft material interposed between said cap and said threaded end'and into which the threads are mashed whenthe cap is forced onto said threaded end.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an article having a threaded portion, a cup-shaped protector adapted to surround said threadedportion, and a cupshaped member of relatively soft material interposed between the threads and said pro! tector and the protector being of such size the threads are mashed into said material when said protectoris forced into position to protect said threads.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pipe'having a threade end, a cup-shaped member of relatively soft material adapted to be arranged on said threaded end, and'a separate metallic cupshaped member adapted to be driven endwise d the end over the first-mentioned member and of such size in relation to the latter as to cause the threads to be mashed into said material.

' 4. In a devlce of the class described, the

combination of a pipe having a threaded.

end, a cup-shaped member of relatively soft material adapted to be arranged on said threaded end, and a separate metallic cupshaped member adapted to be driven endwise over the first-mentioned member and of such size in relation to the latter as to cause the threads to be mashed into said material and the first-mentioned member having an end wall which forms a closure for the end of the pipe.

5. In a device of the class described, thecombination of a pipe having a threaded end, 'a protector adapted to surround the threads of said end, and a cup-shaped member separate from said protector and made of relatively soft material; said member being arranged between said threads and said protector and the protector being of such size that'the threads are mashed into said material when the protector is forced onto the end of the pipe; the end wall of said member serving as a closure for the end of the pipeto exclude water and foreign material therefrom.

6. In a .device of the class described, the combination of a pipe having a tapered threaded end, a cup-shaped protector for the threads of said end having an axially extending flange of frusto-conical form the taper of which conforms substantially to the taper of said threaded end, the end wall of said protector being'provided with means with which a wrench is adapted to cooperate in. unscrewing the protector from the end of the pipe, and-a layer of relatively soft material arranged between said threads and said flange and into which thethreads are mashed by driving said protector over said material when the latter is position onv the'end of the pipe.

7; In a device of the class described, the

combination of a pipe having a tapered threaded end, a cup-shaped protector for the threads of said end having an axially extending flange of frusto-conical form the taper of which conforms substantially to the taper of saidthreaded end, the end wall of said protector being provided with means with which a wrench is adapted to cooperate in unscrewing the protector from the end of the pipe, and a cup-shaped member of relatively soft material arranged between said. threads and said flange and into which the threads are mashed when the pro tector is driven on to the end of the pipe, wall of said member serving as a closure for the end of the pipe.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pipe having a threaded end, a protector for the threads of said end comprising a ring surrounding the threads threaded end, a protector for the threads and adapted to be forced endwise thereover, of said end comprising a ring surrounding an and a cup-shaped member of relatively soft the threads and conforming substantially to fibrous material having an axially extendin the taper thereof, and a retainer for said flange arranged between said threads an protector consisting of a disk of relatively said ring andhaving the threads mashed soft fibrous material having wings projectthereinto by driving the ring thereover, the ing from its periphery adapted to be bent at end wall of said member normally serving substantially at right angles to the disk as a closure for the end of the pipe and to form a cup-shaped member, said wings being adapted to be readily punctured, as being positioned between said 'threads and and for the purposes described. said ring and having the threads mashed 9. In a device of the class described, the into them when the ring is forced into posim combination of an article having a threaded tion and said disk serving as a closure for end, a protector for the threads of said end the end of the pipe to exclude water and comprisingv a ring surrounding the threads foreign material therefrom. and adapted to be driven endwise thereover, 11. In a device of the class described, the and a retainer for said protector consisting combination of a threaded member and a 45 of a circular member made of relatively soft protector for the threads of said member fibrous material having wings projecting comprising a circular member made of paper from its periphery adapted to be bent suband having a plurality of win s adapted'to stantially at right angles to the disk to surround said threads with t eir adjacent form a cup-shaped member, said wings being edges in abutting relation, and a metallic positioned between said threads and said cup having a frusto-conical flange adapted ring and having the threads mashed into to be driven over said member into Wedging them when the ring is forced into position relation to said wings and cause said threads thereover. to be mashed into said wings. 1

10. In a device of the class described, the In'testimony whereof I aflix my signature. combination of a pipe having a tapered HERMAN Az-wUNKE 

